Utah's Shaky Smithson (1) reaches to score against San Diego State linebacker Jonathan Soto (56) during the second quarter of Saturday's game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.
/ ASSOCIATED PRESS

SALT LAKE CITY  The San Diego State Aztecs dropped their third consecutive game with an uninspired, 38-7 loss to No. 23 Utah at Rice-Eccles Stadium Saturday.

The Utes (9-2) scored 38 consecutive points and took a shutout into the fourth quarter before the Aztecs finally scored.

Quarterback Ryan Lindley threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown as the Aztecs (4-7) moved to 0-28 on the road all-time against teams ranked in the Top 25. Lindley finished the game 17-of-37 for 207 yards and a score.

San Diego State’s opening series started as so many others have this season – a little bit of running, a penalty and a turnover.

Wide made it 14-0 on the Utes'second possession, this time taking a pitch on a 2-yard touchdown run.

Utah stretched its lead to 21-0 in the second quarter when wide receiver Shaky Smithson, lined up at quarterback in a wildcat formation, ran straight ahead for a 4-yard touchdown.

Utah quarterback and Oceanside High grad Jordan Wynn showed off his touch with 5:57 left in the first half when he hit Jereme Brooks in stride in the back corner of the end zone on a 24-yard touchdown strike, giving Utah a 28-0 advantage.

A little more than a minute later, Lindley was picked off for the second time – this time when he floated a pass intended for Dominique Sandifer. Instead it was intercepted by Joe Dale, who returned it 28 yards for a touchdown, pushing Utah’s lead to 35-0.

For good measure, Joe Phillips added a 47-yard field goal as time expired to give Utah a 38-0 lead at the half .

The Aztecs looked like a different team to start the second half. But that didn’t last long. First, the defense forced a three-and-out, then the offense moved down to the Utah 3 after a 36-yard pass from Lindley to DeMarco Sampson. But the Aztecs failed to come away with points when Lindley threw behind John Toledo on fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line.

The Aztecs finally got on the board with 11:44 left in the game. With the bulk of Utah’s defense composed of backup players, the Aztecs moved 80 yards on six plays and Lindley capped the drive with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Sandifer.

Sandifer finished with seven catches for 74 yards.

The defense did not allow any points in the second half.

The loss ensures San Diego State a sixth-consecutive losing season.

The Aztecs will finish their season next Saturday at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.